DOCTOR WHO: THE 2009 SPECIALS

The first details on David Tennant's final story as The Doctor have been revealed by outgoing showrunner Russell T Davies. During a TV interview, Davies stated that the final story for David Tennant will cross over the last two episodes of this year's series of specials, the first of which is to air in November. The main companion for these two episodes will be Bernard Cribbins, reprising his role from series 4. Catherine Tate is to return briefly as Donna, and there are rumours that Martha Jones (as played by Freema Agyeman) is to turn up too. The villain for these final two episodes is still unknown, but there are various current rumours that John Simm is returning as The Master.

The Doctor Who Christmas special episodes have been something of a mixed bag thus far. The first one, 2005's wonderful 'The Christmas Invasion', was superb in every way. That was followed by 2006's terrible 'The Runaway Bride' and 2007's somewhat mediocre 'Voyage of the Damned'. This year, the BBC have gone for a full-on Christmas-themed extravaganza set in that staple of warm and fuzzy Christmas yarns- Victorian London. Here's 'The Next Doctor'. Thankfully there's sci-fi mischief afoot in the shape of the Cybermen, thus we're not just watching the Doctor eat mince pies for an hour. The Next Doctor takes a whacking chunk of inspiration from the current surge in interest in the Steampunk offshoot of science fiction, with some fantastic results and some not so fantastic.

The story fits the hour-long format well, giving ample room for characterization and pacing, but it does show that the budget was all spent on the massive scale ending. The Cybermen seem a bit tougher and more like the classic era cybermen in behaviour (and certainly in voice), the production is sumptuous and the cast are spot on, but the piece is let down somewhat by the curiously realized Cybershades. What are they? Dogs? People? Animated fur coats? While everything else in the episode is based largely on materials available at the time the episode is set, where would they have found these odd creatures? The bronze faces are a bit comical after a while, really.

David Morrissey's 'Next Doctor character' is very Doctorish to start off with, but it becomes clear before the midway point that he isn't all that he seems, and the gradual realization of his own past will remind Doctor Who fans of the Doctor himself in the Human nature/Family of Blood episodes from series 3, when he himself had his memories replaced. That story is mentioned a few times, as is the legend of the fob watch (part of the Chameleon Arch process in those earlier episodes), and it is this element that makes you wonder if Mr Davies struggled with the script. It is evident that he didn't though, as this is one of the best written episodes in a while.

'The Next Doctor' comes across as ideal Christmas day entertainment, but its setting will limit its appeal on DVD. That said, it is a rather well crafted story on the whole. Personally I loved every minute of it, and that ending just blew me away. The scale of the last ten minutes is truly immense, and must have had steampunk fans screaming with glee at their TVs. I do hope that the rest of the Doctor Who special episodes to feature David Tennant as the Doctor (which will make up his last year in the part) are as well made as The Next Doctor. 2009 will be very interesting indeed for Doctor Who fans all over the galaxy. I give 'The Next Doctor' a resounding thumbs up, and would love to see David Morrissey show up in Doctor Who again.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LATEST UPDATES!

Little has been revealed so far about the other three special episodes to come before series 5, but Julie Gardner has said that the next will be broadcast during Easter weekend. The plot details are being kept under lock and key, but word has it that the Doctor and his new companion are to face the Sea Devils. Granted, this rumour has been around since series two, but one day it will be true. Another special will air sometime over the summer, possibly during the English schools break during August. The fourth would then be shown over Christmas 2009, and lead into series five, which is said to still star David Tennant as the Doctor. Beyond series five? That's anyone's guess.

As soon as details on the new specials come to light we will report them here for you!

UPDATE: THE DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER TO RETURN
It has been leaked that Georgina Moffett, aka Jenny, The Doctor's Daughter, is set to return in one of the forthcoming 2009 Doctor Who specials! Of course, the Doctor believes she is dead following her being gunned down at the end of her first story, but viewers saw her return to life in its closing minutes. Her new return is going to be very interesting to see onscreen.

FIVE SPECIALS, NOT FOUR
There will in fact be FIVE special episodes to come before series five, not four as previously reported. There will of course be the 2008 Christmas special, and then 2009 will see a further FOUR specials, not three!

DOCTOR WHO 2009 SPECIAL SCRIPT PAGES LEAKED
Five pages from what is believed to be one of the forthcoming specials have apparently been scanned and leaked. The images contain what may well be a major plot point for what will come in series five. If anyone has seen these pages, let us know!

SEPTEMBER 2008 UPDATES:

EIGHTH DOCTOR RETURNS AT EASTER?
Could it finally be true? According to several sources who have been repeatedly reliable regarding happenings in the Doctor Who universe, eighth Doctor Paul McGann is to return in the Easter 2009 Doctor Who special alongside 10th Doctor David Tennant! McGann, of course, played the Doctor in the 1996 TV movie as well as the Big Finish original audio dramas, and his eighth Doctor also appeared in a lengthy series of original BBC novels. Rumours of his return to the TV series have been around ever since Doctor Who came back to our screens in 2005. At one point there was even talk of him being the central focus of the series when talk of its return first came about in 2003.

2008 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL TITLE REVEALED
The title of the 2008 Christmas special episode, featuring David Tennant as The Doctor, David Morrissey as a possible future Doctor, Cybermen and more is officially 'The Next Doctor'.

2009 EASTER SPECIAL DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED
Director James Strong will be helming the Easter Doctor Who Special according to Executive Producer Russell T. Davies. The 2009 Easter special is scripted by Davies along with Gareth Roberts, who also wrote "Attack of the Graske", "The Shakespeare Code" and "The Unicorn and the Wasp" as well as various new era Doctor Who novels.

DAVID TENNANT TO LEAVE DOCTOR WHO AT THE END OF THE 2009 SPECIALS - OFFICIAL!

David Tennant has officially revealed that the five new specials of Doctor Who will be his swansong as the tenth Doctor. Thus we will see the eleventh Doctor come into existence by the end of the 2009 Christmas special- and what an event that will be! For the full story, check out this article: DOCTOR WHO: DAVID TENNANT TO LEAVE- OFFICIAL!

MATT SMITH IS THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR
26 year old actor Matt Smith, seen onscreen in The Ruby in the Smoke and Secret Diary of a Call Girl alongside Billie Piper, has been announced as David Tennant's replacement, and has signed on to play the Doctor for up to five years!

DOCTOR WHO 2009- MORE UPDATES

The Easter 2009 Doctor Who special, Planet of the Dead, has completed shooting and is now in Post Production! Despite the accident with the bus in Dubai, filming continued on the special, starring David Tennant as the Doctor and Michelle Ryan as his companion for the episode. A date for it to be shown is yet to be announced.

The companion for the next special that will be made has been announced- the wonderful actress Lindsay Duncan will be joining the Doctor on his next adventure as 'The most intelligent companion ever', apparently called Adelaide.

The end of series four saw the Doctor once again travelling alone after the near cataclysmic events of 'Journey's End'. He took Rose and the second version of himself back to Rose's universe and sealed the gap between realities. Martha and Mickey joined Captain Jack and headed off to join Torchwood for its third series. Sarah Jane went back to her new life and another series of her own adventures, and the Doctor was left travelling alone in the TARDIS, leaving the series completely open for new adventures, new companions and new legends to be made. Interestingly, this was the first time since the series returned that the final episode didn't end with a link to the Christmas special. However, the end of the credits did show glimpses of what is to come this festive season%u2026

The range of official Doctor Who merchandise continues to grow throughout the aftermath of series four and beyond to the new special episodes. There are new action figures (including Donna and Davros from series four) on the way, as well as brand new posters and more. What's coming? There is to be a 'Sontaran Stratagem' set featuring Donna Noble and several Sontaran warriors, a new series of 'Classic Era' figures including the fourth, fifth and sixth Doctors and many enemies, and much more. New series four posters, featuring the Doctor, Donna and even the Adipose are available now! The world of Doctor Who collectibles continues to grow!